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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Mrsmith on March 13, 2007, at 12:01:54
Dos this combo make any sense in theory or practice? Seems like suimultaneous push/pull on the dopamine system? Any comments out there? Thanks.
Posted by Mrsmith on March 13, 2007, at 12:16:39
In reply to Dexedrine + Ablify?, posted by Mrsmith on March 13, 2007, at 12:01:54
> Does this combo make any sense in theory or practice? Seems like suimultaneous push/pull on the dopamine system? Any comments out there? Thanks.
Might be worth noting that the dex has transformed me to a "wide awake dead man" - i.e., alert but anhedonic. Not sure that abilify - a dopamine antagonist - is the fix.
Any ideas of a combo that can make me alert AND alive would be most welcome. Not sure I just want to add low-dose abilify until I get some further thinking. Thanks!
Posted by one woman cine on March 13, 2007, at 13:09:59
In reply to Re: Dexedrine + Ablify?, posted by Mrsmith on March 13, 2007, at 12:16:39
many seemingly odd med combos work.
It depends on what you are trying to treat.
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on March 13, 2007, at 20:21:00
In reply to Dexedrine + Ablify?, posted by Mrsmith on March 13, 2007, at 12:01:54
I have treatment resistant depression and I take abilify and dexedrine (and lithium, lexapro, & ambien). They both have been helpful, but I think the abilify has been more helpful. Has decreased feelings of depression and hopelessness.
Best,
EE
Posted by med_empowered on March 14, 2007, at 0:11:07
In reply to Re: Dexedrine + Ablify?, posted by Emily Elizabeth on March 13, 2007, at 20:21:00
neuroleptic+stimulant combos have been done since neuroleptics were introduced; there was Thora-Dex (thorazine+dexedrine), Steladex (stelazine+dex) and of course Eskatrol (compazine+dex). Some people really loved them, especially Eskatrol, so maybe there is something to be said for the combo.
Personally, that sort of combo did nothing for me. Have you tried BuSpar+dex? Or a low-dose sri? Or an anticonvulsant?
Posted by Mrsmith on March 14, 2007, at 11:58:16
In reply to Re: Dexedrine + Ablify?, posted by med_empowered on March 14, 2007, at 0:11:07
Thanks to you and Eliz for your posts.Here's a working hypothesis: my unacceptable "alert but anhedonic state" on dex is caused by
horrible DA tone (levels/receptor sensitivity/too many transporters etc)resulting from long-term dex use.Comments? Any fix? A variety of A/D combos has not worked.
Maybe I should go back to imipramine monotherapy, which seemed to work pretty well ...
Posted by Mrsmith on March 14, 2007, at 12:02:39
In reply to Re: Dexedrine + Ablify?, posted by med_empowered on March 14, 2007, at 0:11:07
Med-empowered: I have tried low-dose SRI's (caused fatigue)and anticonvulsants (become a zombie). Not tried buspar but this class tends to make me sluggish. I have slept 15 hours after taking my first dose of abilify (1 mg). Not sure what I'm doing tonight.
Posted by Mrsmith on March 14, 2007, at 12:51:40
In reply to Re: Dexedrine + Ablify?, posted by one woman cine on March 13, 2007, at 13:09:59
> many seemingly odd med combos work.
>
> It depends on what you are trying to treat.
>
> Thanks for post. Trying to treat my "wide awake dead man walking" syndrome - alert but anhedonic state. I take dexedrine and various combos of antidepressants and convulsants - the result has aways been: alert but anhedonic. Your experience is interesting but I'm not clear as to whether you combine dex and abilify or take them separately. Can you please clarify? What seems to work for you - and what difficulties are you trying to treat? Thanks again.
Posted by one woman cine on March 14, 2007, at 13:58:41
In reply to Re: Dexedrine + Ablify?, posted by Mrsmith on March 14, 2007, at 12:51:40
I don't take either drug combo or either drug separately.
But I do know, that drugs that appear *disparate* to a layperson - are actually wise combos to skilled psychopharm's. The are many secondary chemical reactions when drugs are combined - and it also depends on the meds you are using and why.
Perhaps if you are alert and there may be anhedonia - it may be situational/psychological etc etc.
Anhedonia is hard to treat (& diagnosis) than other symptoms because it involves subjective notions around "happiness" & self-reporting. (& pretty interesting)
Why does your doc have you on this combo?
Posted by med_empowered on March 14, 2007, at 14:26:12
In reply to Re: Dexedrine + Ablify?, posted by one woman cine on March 14, 2007, at 13:58:41
if you like imipramine...could you combine it w/ dex? I took tofranil+adderall..it was effective, but I had some problems with it. The combo tends to increase the actions of both drugs, so do watch for that.
Maybe a different antipsychotic (I mean, if thats where you want to go with this)? Or maybe something like symbyax plus the dex? Or maybe replace the dex with Provigil (or any number of other stims--ritalin, adderall, desoxyn, pemoline)?Good luck.
Posted by Mrsmith on March 14, 2007, at 15:17:38
In reply to Re: Dexedrine + Ablify?, posted by med_empowered on March 14, 2007, at 14:26:12
> if you like imipramine...could you combine it w/ dex? I took tofranil+adderall..it was effective, but I had some problems with it. The combo tends to increase the actions of both drugs, so do watch for that.
> Maybe a different antipsychotic (I mean, if thats where you want to go with this)? Or maybe something like symbyax plus the dex? Or maybe replace the dex with Provigil (or any number of other stims--ritalin, adderall, desoxyn, pemoline)?
>
> Good luck.IMI + DEX = headaches; lability; etc. The best result I have ever gotten was from IMI (75mg) + Lithium (300mg @ night) - thinking strongly of going back to this, although I recall fatigue on this combo is what brought me to dex to begin with.
This is the end of the thread.
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